Gay and lesbian students at Bradford University are staging an anti-homophobia week.

The initiative comes after gay and lesbian students have been spat at and verbally abused at the Great Horton Road centre.

One young woman had a brick thrown through the window of her home near the university. And two girls who were kissing outside the university library were spat at, had missiles thrown at them and were abused.

The Bradford University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) society wants to raise awareness of homophobia and is planning a high-profile week of events for students from April 22 to April 27. It has also hosted a day-long conference for student gay societies from around the country to swap ideas and build a campaign.

Student Tiggs Jennings, 22, of Norfolk, said: "We had three different reports of verbal homophobic abuse on campus at the beginning of this year.

"In one case two females had had a row and were making up outside the library. They were only hugging and kissing, but they had things thrown at them and were spat at by other students. The university has a list of tutors you can approach about harassment but people don't always want to see them because they may not have 'come out'."

The LGBT group approached the university authorities who have agreed to stage special training for the tutors involved in handling harassment complaints, to make them more aware of issues around homophobia. Mean-while, the group is keen to raise general awareness of the issue among fellow students. In the week of action, at the end of April, it is planning an opening ceremony to which the university's top brass is being invited, a light-hearted football match against the university team, in fancy dress, a debate on gay marriage or Section 28, a teddy bears' picnic and a variety show.

Group member Wesley Rennison, 23, said: "I come from Dublin where it's far more tolerant and relaxed. Here we are vulnerable to attacks from both the British National Party and the Islamic right. I have held hands in a city centre park in Dublin but I can't imagine ever doing that in Bradford."